Sunday 2 July 2006 19.10 EDT
First published on Sunday 2 July 2006 19.10 EDT

David Beckham's sudden and unexpected announcement that he is to stand down as England captain is likely to see John Terry elevated to the role he already fulfils for Chelsea with distinction. Steve McClaren, the new England manager, will give serious consideration to Steven Gerrard but Terry is seen as having the best qualifications for a post that Beckham relinquished at an emotional news conference.

McClaren's priority is to confirm the involvement of Terry Venables and Alan Shearer among his backroom staff but it will not be long before he announces Beckham's successor. Gary Neville, the Manchester United captain, is understood to have been discounted and, even though Gerrard has an exceptional record as Liverpool's captain, Terry is expected to take the armband when the McClaren years begin against Greece at Old Trafford on August 16.

Beckham would not have been able to play any further part in this World Cup even if England had beaten Portugal on Saturday. He suffered knee and achilles tendon injuries in the quarter- final and is expected to be sidelined for at least six weeks, probably ruling him out of the Greece friendly. Not now the captain, it can no longer be assumed that he will automatically return thereafter although yesterday he made it clear that he wants to continue playing for England.

In yesterday's press conference he had been expected to summarise the team's failings. Instead he appeared in a funereal black suit and fished out a sheet of paper from his pocket. "I've got a brief statement that I would like to read out," he began. "Then I'd like to leave it at that. Bear with me because I wrote this late last night . . ."

There were times in the next few moments when his voice cracked with emotion and he looked as though he would not be able to finish. "On November 15 2000, Peter Taylor gave me the greatest honour of my career in making me captain of England and fulfilling my childhood dream," he said. "Now, almost six years later, having been captain for 58 of my 95 caps, I think the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter into the new era under Steve McClaren.

"I came to this decision some time ago but I had hoped to announce it on the back of a successful World Cup. Sadly, that wasn't to be. This decision has been the most difficult of my career to date but, after discussing it with my family and the people closest to me, I feel the time is right. Our performance during this World Cup has not been enough to progress further and both myself and all the players regret that and are hurt, more than people realise.

"I have lived the dream. I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England. And for that I will always be grateful. Thank you very much."

As he left his seat, there was instinctive applause but it is a measure of the cynicism that attaches itself to Beckham, a skilled manipulator of the media, that there has also been bewilderment in some quarters about the timing of the announcement and, specifically, whether it was calculated to minimise the criticism that would inevitably have accompanied his performances during the tournament.

Beckham, who has actually won 94 caps, never scaled the heights he has reached for Real Madrid and formerly Manchester United and there were even the beginnings of a campaign for him to be removed from the team. Now he will have to justify his return.

Resignation statement in full

"On November 15 2000, Peter Taylor gave me the greatest honour of my career in making me captain of England and fulfilling my childhood dream. Now almost six years later, having been captain for 58 of my 95 caps, I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter a new era under Steve McClaren. It has been an honour and privilege to captain our country and I wish to stress that I want to continue to play for England and to help both the new captain and Steve McClaren in any way I can. I came to this decision some time ago but I had hoped to announce it on the back of a successful World Cup. Sadly that wasn't to be. This decision has been the most difficult of my career to date but after discussing it with my family and those closest to me I feel the time is right. Our performance during this World Cup has not been enough to progress further and both myself and all the players regret that and are hurt more than people realise. I wish to thank all the players for their support during my time as captain as well as Peter Taylor, Sven and all the coaches. I would also like to thank the press and, of course, the England supporters who have been both great to me and my team-mates and I want them to know that for me it has been an absolute honour. Finally, I have lived the dream. I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England and for that I will always be grateful."

How the bookies see it

John Terry is now the overwhelming 2-1-on favourite with William Hill to become the new England captain, following David Beckham's decision to stand down. "Ninety-five per cent of the bets we took were for Terry, with just a few for Steven Gerrard and almost none for anyone else," said a Hill's spokesman. The odds are Terry 1-2 , Gerrard 11-4; Gary Neville and Frank Lampard both 8-1; Rio Ferdinand 16-1; Michael Owen 20-1.